Block 5 in downtown Rockford was hopping last night, and maybe it's that way more than we realize. Plus, tonight is First Fridays when much more will be happening.

I was at the Irish Rose Saloon for a gathering for Alan Brown, executive director of the Burpee Museum of Natural History. He is retiring at the end of the month from Burpee, and I was talking with people who know him for a story to publish in a few weeks.

Not only was the room packed where his party was being held, with several who gather for coffee-drinking mornings at Wired Cafe, a block west, but the dining area was pretty full, too.

Before I went there about 6:30 p.m., I stopped at Plush Gift Gallery and Minglewood. Women were streaming into the retailers to try on trendy dresses, scarves, blouses and jewelry.

As I was standing outside talking to Jerry Kortman from J. R. Kortman Center for Design, a retailer downtown on Main Street, I saw a tall, muscular drag queen in a bright pink skirted outfit enter The Office.

I passed by Abreo and Social and peeked in the windows. Oodles of customers enjoying themselves.

And I was on my way home by 7:15 p.m. I bet activity picked up after my depature, too. Anyway, it felt good to be hanging out, if only for a few minutes, in a hip, happening place on an early Thursday evening.

And tonight is First Fridays, when there's so much more goings-on all around downtown. Have fun.